York, PA - After almost two years since their last match, the Howard CC volleyball team enjoyed playing in their 2021 season opener as they fell to Harford and Penn State York.

In their first match since November 2019 after the Covid-19 pandemic wiped out their 2020 season, the Dragons started their campaign against the might Fighting Owls of Harford. After a tough first set, the Dragons fought back to nearly take the second set before getting swept in the match 3-0.

Samantha Matney (Elkridge, MD/Howard) led the team with five kills while Lauren Harwood (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) added four kills and a block. Setter Mikaela Brewer (Gaithersburg, MD/Coventant Life) picked up 11 assists and three aces in her collegiate debut as the team captain.

In their second match of the day, a similar story occurred as a rough first set was followed by a very close second set, but ultimately dropping the match 3-0 against Penn State York.

Matney again the led Dragons with four kills, with Kayla Hendershot (Columbia, MD/Hammond) adding three. Libero Eryca Sterling (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) made a fantastic debut in the back line, totaling 18 digs in the two matches combined.

The Dragons will get right back to it when they travel to Frederick on Tuesday, August 31 for a 7 PM match.